Recommended Free Tools
There is no single route through both Mojave National Preserve and Death Valley: the right drive depends on your start and finish, stops, dates, vehicle and whether you want to travel on unpaved roads. Plan the route around those details, fill up before entering Mojave (there is no fuel inside the preserve), and check current road conditions with both parks and the relevant highway agencies before you leave.
Choose a route around your stops and vehicle
Mojave National Preserve has several entrances, including access from I-15 and I-40, and its attractions are spread across a large area. Death Valley also has paved routes and remote backcountry roads. Without your origin, destination, travel dates and vehicle, naming one route would give a false impression that there is a universally best way to drive between or through the parks.
![California Desert National Parks [Map Pack Bundle] (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41PVwYFXMzL._SL160_.jpg)
![Blacksburg, New River Valley [George Washington and Jefferson National Forests] (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51WD2io-e6L._SL160_.jpg)
Start by choosing the places you want to visit and the entrances that fit your trip. Then compare candidate roads by surface, current status, distance between services, required vehicle and your comfort with remote travel. NPS cautions that third-party directions may not reflect current road conditions, so use maps for planning but confirm road status with the parks.
Can you drive through in a regular car?
A passenger car can use suitable paved roads when they are open, but do not assume that every route shown on a map is paved or appropriate for it. In Mojave, paved primary roads are different from unimproved backcountry roads. NPS says many backcountry roads need at least 8 inches of clearance, 4WD and low range; the requirement varies by road, so check the guidance for the specific route.
#1 Best Overall
Death Valley backcountry roads also call for the right vehicle, tools, replacement parts and experience. A road’s appearance on a map does not establish that a standard car can safely travel it. If your vehicle or experience does not fit a road’s demands, choose a suitable paved route instead.
Do you need 4WD?
Not for every drive in either park. You do need to match the vehicle to the road: many Mojave backcountry roads call for 4WD, low range and substantial clearance, while the Mojave Road specifically requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. Death Valley’s backcountry routes also require appropriate equipment and experience. Check official guidance and conditions for each road rather than treating 4WD as a blanket requirement for park visits—or as a guarantee that a route is passable.
Where to get fuel, food and water
There is no fuel inside Mojave National Preserve. Fill the tank before entering and plan food, water and service stops around your chosen route and the distances involved. Do not assume that services will be available between remote destinations; check current park information and plan supplies before departure.
How to check road closures and conditions
- Check the Mojave National Preserve road conditions for the specific roads on your itinerary.
- Check Death Valley National Park conditions for its current closures and cautions.
- Check the relevant state or county highway agency for the connecting roads outside the parks.
- Recheck shortly before departure. Storm damage, washouts and closures can change, and GPS or third-party map status is not authoritative.
Conditions are especially important on remote roads. In the NPS Mojave conditions listing observed on October 8, 2026, primary and secondary roads were listed as open, but the park warned that paved roads could have potholes, narrow shoulders and washouts; individual unpaved roads had roughness, debris, sand or washout issues. The same listing cautioned that damage to backcountry roads may be unknown. This is a dated snapshot, not a current guarantee.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallRank #3
Death Valley’s NPS road-status update dated September 28, 2026, listed Bonnie Clare Road and Scotty’s Castle closed for flood recovery and cautioned about flood damage on North Highway and southern Badwater Road. Those details can change and should not be used as a live closure list for a later trip.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to know before attempting the Mojave Road
The Mojave Road is a separate backcountry undertaking, not a default connector between the two parks. The NPS describes it as roughly 150 miles across the desert between the Colorado River and Mojave River. It is rough or sandy in places, and NPS says the full drive usually takes three days. The park recommends 4WD and advises drivers to check conditions.
Rank #4
- United States Southwest Map National Geographic Adventure Map, 3121, Volume 3121
- CARDS
- National Geographic
Remote travel demands self-reliance. Cell service is unreliable or absent in much of Mojave. For the Mojave Road, NPS advises carrying a map rather than relying solely on GPS, along with tools, a jack, towrope, extra water and vehicle fluids. Supplies do not make a closed road safe or an unsuitable vehicle appropriate. Death Valley backcountry routes likewise require preparation, suitable equipment and experience.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- National Geographic Map - Great Smokey Mountain National Park
Plan the drive before you set out
- Set your start and finish points, dates and desired stops before choosing roads.
- Identify which roads are paved and which are backcountry routes; confirm vehicle requirements for each.
- Fuel up before entering Mojave and carry the food, water and vehicle supplies your itinerary requires.
- Check both parks’ official conditions pages and the relevant highway agencies shortly before travel.
- For remote routes, carry a map and the equipment and experience appropriate to the road; do not rely on cell service or GPS alone.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
